Reducing and Re-using

We all need to take responsibility for the amount of rubbish we throw away. Minimising the amount of waste we produce is by far the most effective way of ending our reliance on landfill.

We all need to take responsibility for the amount of rubbish we throw away.

Waste minimisation encompasses two separate actions;

Avoiding waste production in the first place

Re-using items before they are discarded

The importance of waste minimisation has been recognised for many years. But with the population of the UK, and in particular London, now growing at a rapid rate, it is more important than ever that we all do what we can to produce less waste.

Following a sustained period of year-on-year reductions, the amount of waste that households across the UK produce has begun to increase again. 60 per cent of local authorities across the country reported increases in household waste between 2012/13 and 2014/15. A combination of socio and economic factors are thought to be driving this upward trend.

During that same three-year period (2012/13 – 2014/15), the amount of waste the average household in the Partnership region produced increased by 21kg.

In fact, the four boroughs that make up the South London Waste Partnership continue to perform relatively well, particularly in a London context. Households in the Partnership region on average produce 537kg of waste each year; well below the 575kg average for London as a whole and the 558kg national average.

But more needs to be done. The four Partner boroughs will continue to whatever they can to encourage residents to help reverse this trend as an increase in household waste is both environmentally and financially unsustainable.

How can you help?

Shop Smart – try to buy fruit and vegetables loose rather than in packaging and only buy what you are going to use. Wasting food costs the average household £470 a year, rising to £700 for a family with children www.lovefoodhatewaste.com